As if to confirm the warnings from the Motorcycle Action Group on the effects of “excessive” insurance premiums(AM, April 9), March registrations for powered two wheelers were substantially down year on year.

The Motorcycle Industry Association has reported new scooter registrations down 28% year on year to 4,184 units, while motorcycle and moped sales were down 16% at 12,394 units. The Q1 2004 figures for scooters were down 25% on the same quarter of last year at 9,033 and motorcycles and mopeds were down 17% at 19,199.